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Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

This game has pretty standard good versus evil stuff with some focus on the struggle inherent in resisting dark temptations. However, it's all couched in the underlying message that stylized fantasy violence is cool and fun.

Positive role models

The game's protagonists (there are several) each begin on a path to fight evil and are all terribly powerful warriors. They want to use their power for good, but are given to bouts of temptation, rage, and weakness -- not great behavior models for anyone.

Ease of play

Easy to start, thanks to responsive controls and ample onscreen instructions. However, as you move further into the game the action becomes much more difficult as players encounter extremely challenging minions and bosses.

Violence

Players attack fantastical enemies with bladed weapons, whips, chains and other weapons, often resulting in splashes of crimson. Some zombie-like enemies have partially dismembered bodies. Cut scenes depict some particularly gory situations, such as the player's character being impaled. During boss battles, players can get up close to creatures to stab and chop of limbs.

Sex

The game's opening scene sees a man and woman moving out of camera range toward a bed, sex implied. Some fantastical female creatures appear topless, though without much detail. One scene involves a female vampire trying to seduce someone.

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

This game is part of the popular Castlevania series, which has issued regular installments since the 1980s.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Privacy & safety

Some privacy concerns. The game uses the Nintendo 3DS StreetPass feature, which automatically transfers player information to others, including their Mii character. This feature can be turned off, but young children should be cautioned to never use their real name as their Mii.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate is a rare M-rated 3DS game, and not suitable for kids. Filled with intense and mature themes -- including some sexuality and deep family conflicts between fathers and sons -- it trades in graphic, bloody fantasy violence. Players will see characters impaled, undead creatures with great red holes in their torsos, and splashes of blood with each strike of their hero's various bladed weapons.

What kids can learn

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

solving puzzles

strategy

What Kids Can Learn

While elements of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate focus on puzzle solving and strategy, we don't recommend it for learning because of its graphic violence.

What kids can learn

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

solving puzzles

strategy

While elements of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate focus on puzzle solving and strategy, we don't recommend it for learning because of its graphic violence.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's it about?

An epic story with multiple protagonists, CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW - MIRROR OF FATE is a sequel to 2010's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, though it differs significantly in play style. It's still set in a lush, three-dimensional world filled with terrifying and gruesome fantastical enemies -- including the terrible Dracula, the vampire into which the previous game's hero eventually transformed. But action here takes place on a two-dimensional plane, which means movement is restricted to left and right, up and down. The action centers largely on bloody battles against powerful minions and bosses, though some sections focus more on platforming and puzzles, with players forced to execute tricky jumps, climb walls, swim through water, and manipulate objects in the environment. The heart of the game, though, is its dark, complex story, which moves between characters and time periods to weave a surprisingly mature, sometimes tragic tale.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

You're not likely to find a better looking game for Nintendo's stereoscopic handheld. Mirror of Fate's beautifully lit, finely detailed environments have incredible depth for a side-scrolling game -- especially if you can handle the three-dimensional effects (some players can experience a bit of a headache when left on for very long). What's more, the game's mature narrative is engaging and well written -- a good fit for the grown-up gamers at which it is targeted.

Any beefs players may have will likely rest in the gameplay, which doesn't quite click as well as other elements of the experience. Attempts to offer a bit of open exploration fall flat in front of the game's undeniable linearity. Plus, character growth is strangely stifled, reducing the opportunity for satisfying hero evolution. It's still a fun and memorable play, but these rough spots will likely keep Mirror of Fate from becoming a classic within this venerable franchise.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about vampires. Why do you think vampires have fascinated people for so long? Do you think they're more or less scary than other traditional fantasy villains, such as werewolves, zombies, goblins, or witches?

Families can also discuss the impact of violence in media. How do you judge whether a game is too violent for your family? Do you differentiate between violence against people and violence against fantastical creatures or aliens?

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